Experts call for ketamine to be upgraded to class B

“Ketamine should be reclassified as class B drug, government experts say,” The Guardian reports. The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, the body that advises the Home Office on drugs, has recommended that ketamine (currently a class C drug) be upgraded to class B.   What is ketamine? Ketamine is a powerful anaesthetic used both in humans and animals (hence one of its nicknames "donkey dust"). The drug is usually available in powdered form, though it can also be bought in capsules as well as a liquid that can be injected. Its popularity as a club drug rose during the 1990s as it was cheaper than cocaine and many clubbers regarded it as more powerful than ecstasy. The latest crime survey of England and Wales estimated that around 120,000 people took ketamine in 2012-13.   What are the effects of ketamine? The effects of ketamine are dose-dependent. In small doses it can cause feelings of euphoria and relaxation. In larger doses it can cause a sense of being detached from your body, vivid hallucinations and even body paralysis. This combination of symptoms is referred to by users as “being in the k-hole”.   Why is ketamine being reclassified? It isn't yet. The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs does not have the power to change the law. However, the council is concerned about the effects of chronic ketamine use on the bladder. Ketamine can cause inflammation of the bladder in the same way as an infection. Most long-term users develop some de...
Source: NHS News Feed - Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Mental health QA articles Lifestyle/exercise Source Type: news